Destinations
Enjoying ramen in a rundown place in the City of Manila
Along Adriatico Street in the City of Manila is a rundown ‘iuman’ (drinking joint) that offers better-than-okay ramen. And so if you’re willing to sacrifice overall ambiance for cheap food, check this place out. If you believe ambiance is important to enjoy food, then this one isn’t for you.
Malate in the City of Manila continues to evolve really, really fast. Yes, it was always a historical place – you only need to see the ancestral houses that still dot the area to know that this place was once home of Metro Manila’s old rich. But I’d say that particularly in recent times, the area’s evolution has quickened – there was a time when it was part of the red light district of the city, “home” of the so-called “kalapating mababa ang lipad” (literally: “doves that fly low”, though really just referring to prostituted women); and then it became the bohemian must-visit place (with writers, artists and the likes frequenting the place); and then becoming the gay area; and then becoming a Koreatown; and then – nowadays – into a largely hetero ogle-town (complete with the clubs with showgirls who striptease even in the remaining gay bar in the area, sports bars, et cetera).
Malate of the past is dead; but there’s a “new” Malate that mixes not necessarily the bests of its past, though this version is not at all uninteresting.
It is in this “new” Malate where Vest – a ramen house along Adriatico Street – can be found, mixing some of the good (e.g. carefree attitude, good food) and some of the bad (e.g. sex industry, beggars of the city) that people who frequented Malate in the past know very well.
WHAT’S THERE
Look-wise, Vest is actually just a rundown karinderya-like (eatery-like) inuman (drinking joint). As such, it’s a non-airconditioned place beside the street, with numerous plastic chairs and tables (i.e. monoblocs). Obviously, there’s nothing “fancy” about this place.
To up the ante of the place being rundown, check the toilets that almost look like belated additions to the place – e.g. the urinals in the male toilet, for example, look like they were just pasted on existing cement walls, so that “yuck” easily comes to mind when you see it.
There’s an area worth highlighting – i.e. the ramen stall, where the “magic” is made. This is akin to the food stalls in the streets of Bangkok or Vietnam or Japan or… you get the drift. The stall has everything needed to make the good offerings – e.g. noodles, broth, et cetera.
And so – in a way – Vest (somewhat) elevates street eating…
WHY GO THERE Obviously – as stressed – you don’t come here because of the fancy atmosphere. In fact, if there’s one reason to be here at all, it’s the ramen. There aren’t that many choices – i.e. Shoyu (P60), Miso (P80), Shio (P70) and Tan-tanmen (P90). There are thingies you can add – e.g. egg (P10), soup (P10) and spice (P10). But the offerings here are yummy. Even better when eaten after a drunken night-out.
That they’re cheap is definitely a plus (e.g. I’ve had supposedly authentic Korean ramen in restaurants near De La Salle University along Taft, and though I paid P200 per bowl, what was served me was just instant noodles topped with more spices!).
WHY AVOID
Alas, there are many minuses why you shouldn’t drop by this place. The rundown state of the place has already been stated.
The beggars, too, who hop from one table to another, asking for whatever they can for them to survive.
And then there are the sex workers who stay at the place to: 1) drink cheaply with thrifty clients, or 2) look for clients while there (the place is popular among Western backpackers, and non-Filipino students). In between sipping hot broth and chowing down pork siomai (P25 for five pieces), you are bound to hear mainly female sex workers discuss would-be clients and the expected sexual acts that go with whatever price that will be asked. So if you’re not keen being with their likes, you’ve been warned…
IN THE END
If you’re willing to sacrifice overall ambiance for cheap, better-than-okay food, check this place out.
If you believe ambiance is important to enjoy food, then this one isn’t for you.
Try having your ramen packed for take-out; that way, you’d still be able to savor the offering/s without having to stay there…
Vest is located along Adriatico Street in Malate, City of Manila.
Destinations
Going Chinese in Pulilan, Bulacan
Craving for #chinesefood in #Bulacan? We tried the offerings of Lee Foo Panciteria #Pulilan, and we’re on the fence here (yes if no choice, no if you can go elsewhere).
We happened to be in Pulilan in Bulacan, and I had pancit craving. As if on cue, we passed by Lee Foo Panciteria Pulilan, which – after we Google-checked – is supposedly one of the more frequently-visited Chinese restos in these parts of the province, so… of course we checked.
@outragemag Craving for #chinesefood in #Bulacan? We tried the offerings of Lee Foo Panciteria #Pulilan ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
Una, this place is really, REALLY easy to find. Located along the Pulilan Regional Road in Barangay Cut-cot in Pulilan, this is right in the middle of the municipality.
Ikalawa, the resto is actually divided into three parts: one side is for those with reservations, another part is for walk-in diners, and another part is for events. If/when the resto isn’t full, only the main part (middle one) is kept open.
No, this isn’t some fancy resto. More like an airconditioned karinderya, complete with wooden tables and plastic chairs. Look-wise, it wasn’t dirty naman when we were there, so that’s a plus.
Ikatlo, the workers were friendly naman… and they moved fast – e.g. while waiting for our orders, we were given must-check peanuts, and since we finished what we got fast, our waitress was more than happy to accommodate us.
Ika-apat, now… how was the food?
The house specialty, the Lee Foo Chicken (₱265 for half, ₱495 for whole), looked like fried chicken with ketchup. Okay… the breading was okay since it didn’t overpower the meat. The chicken, too, was properly cooked, and it wasn’t dry. But it was tasteless overall; so the ketchup taste is what stays with you.
The Pancit Canton Bihon (₱255) had thin pancit noodles, almost as thin as the bihon. It didn’t have lots of sahog; instead, you’d notice the extenders (like kikiam, and so on). I like good pancit, I swear… but this isn’t one of them, sorry.
The weirdly-wrapped Hakaw (₱155) was small, so it was bitin.
And then there’s the Siomai Steam (₱155), which was, in a word, weird. The size was good, similar to those ₱10 siomais. But the way this was prepared was weird for us – e.g. like the meat was overwatered, and having a hard time staying solid, so that it was smudgy, and disintegrated in the mouth even without chewing. I suppose that, at least, it wasn’t disgusting taste-wise.
Lee Foo Panciteria Pulilan is, we believe, popular. Like President in Chinatown, or a branch of David’s in some mall. To each his or her own nga naman. But for us, we’re off to look for other Chinese restos na muna as we head out in search of more lafangan venues.
Lee Foo Panciteria Pulilan is located at 159 Barangay Cut-cot, Pulilan, 3005 Bulacan Province. For more information, contact 0925 800 0168, or email leefoopanciteria@yahoo.com.
Travel
Treacherous beauty: Hiking at South Stack Lighthouse in Wales
#Lighthouse fever in #Holyhead, #anglesey via the #SouthStackLighthouse, as checked during this #LGBT trip to #Wales.
Yes, tech has made many lighthouses redundant. Not that they’re no longer relevant. But navigation-wise, we know we have more advanced solutions. Which, perhaps not surprisingly, led to the reconfiguration of many of them.
In Holyhead, Anglesey in Wales, introducing the South Stack Lighthouse.
@outragemag #Lighthouse fever in #Holyhead, #anglesey via the #SouthStackLighthouse, as checked during this #LGBT trip to #Wales ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
Una, you’d need a ride to be there. Some use private cars, as we did; others join tours; and others cycle to the place.
Ikalawa, what’s there?
The lighthouse itself is located on a small, rocky island off Holyhead. From afar, it looks like someone’s grand home; mansion-like. Accessible siya after you descend down 400 steep steps.
What will you see while there?
- the former lighthouse engine room
- the top of the lighthouse
- South Stack is also home to breeding seabirds including guillemots, razorbills and puffins
Here’s an FYI: seasonal lang siya bukas.
This is a must-check for lighthouse lovers, of course. Historic, it was built in 1809 by Trinity House from the design of Daniel Alexander. 91-foot tall, it used to allow safe passage for ships on the Dublin–Holyhead–Liverpool sea route.
Another FYI: It is allegedly haunted, and has been visited by a team from “Most Haunted”.
The area housing the lighthouse is, itself, worth checking. There are trails for hikers or joggers or cyclists; though the same could be enjoyed by those who are there only to look for good shots.
Check when you’re in the area… even if you just pass by. Nice siya, promise.
But off we go for more LGBTQIA+ rampa…
Travel
Enjoying nature via trail hiking in Wales
Enjoying nature via #trail #hiking at #Snowdonia #SnowdoniaSlateTrail during one #LGBT visit in #Gwynedd, #Wales.
When in Bangor, you’d be told often that among the best things to do is to hike. And among the must-check is the Snowdonia Slate Trail, which links the old slate-quarrying communities of Eryri/Snowdonia.
So… ayan na nga, even without the right outfit for hiking, but ayaw ma-miss ang chance to check the area, off we went.
@outragemag Enjoying nature via #trail #hiking at #Snowdonia #SnowdoniaSlateTrail during one #LGBT visit in #Gwynedd, #Wales ♬ original sound – Outrage Magazine
Una, the circular route starts near Bangor/Porth Penrhyn. And you need a car or whatever to get to the starting point.
Ikalawa, the trail isn’t just for hiking. It’s also for biking or walking dogs. So you’d be sharing the 133-kilometer long trail with others.
Ikatlo, what’s there?
Mountains built by remnants from quarry sites, to start.
So… Gwynedd used to be known for slate quarrying, and among the biggest players is Penrhyn Quarry which is near Gwynedd, part of The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Now… with slate quarrying, around 75% of extracted material are inferior in quality, called overburden, and so becoming mineral waste. Here, they’re now mountains.
But the trail also shows views typically associated with Wales – e.g. rolling hills that go on forever, rock fences, sheep farms, canals with flowing water… and more.
Usually, sa matatag, people hike the Snowdonia Slate Trail for up to seven days, passing through Bethesda, Llanberis, and so on. But for others… it’s but an opportunity to commune with nature, in a way, while taking those must-have shots.
But we’re off for more LGBTQIA+ discoveries…
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